New Zealand's first MRI linear accelerator now transforming treatment for soft tissue cancers

St George’s Cancer Care Centre in Christchurch is now offering radiation treatment using New Zealand’s first MRI linear accelerator (MR Linac).

The Centre started MR Linac treatments in early May - initially treating prostate cancers, with plans to offer radiation for other soft tissue cancers by the end of the year. This will include establishing treatment pathways for some cancers for which radiation was not an option previously.

The MR Linac represents “transformational change” in treating soft tissue cancers, according to Dr Brendon Anderson, Clinical Director and radiation oncologist.

“The MR Linac offers superior imaging quality that allows us to see tumours and account for changes in the position, size and shape of the tumour whilst the patient is on treatment. That’s in addition to monitoring the natural movement of the patient as they breathe and swallow. This is a major breakthrough for soft tissue cancers.

“The MR Linac also gives us the ability to treat some cancers that have previously been inoperable and unsuitable for radiation treatment – such as pancreatic cancer. It is truly ground-breaking technology, and we feel immensely privileged to be able to offer it here,” he says.

“Instead of initial CT scans being used to plan a whole course of treatment, we now have highly accurate, real-time images of tumours as the patient receives radiotherapy. This means the radiation can be delivered very precisely and in stronger doses than previously possible. There is also less chance of radiation affecting surrounding healthy tissue, which can cause side effects.

“It means fewer treatments are required – so the patient needs less time off work or away from home and family. This can be the difference between five treatments over 10 days; instead of 20 treatments over four weeks,” he says.

St George’s Cancer Care Centre is the only private clinic in the South Island offering both radiation and medical oncology, as well as being the only clinic in New Zealand – public or private – offering treatment using the MR Linac.

“MR Linacs have only been available for about five years and ours was the 100th to be sold anywhere in the world. The addition of this technology makes us New Zealand’s national centre of excellence for cancer treatment,” he says.

“Some patients have already gone to Australia or further afield in search of this treatment, but now they can be treated right here in New Zealand,” he says.

St George’s Cancer Care Centre accepts patients from all over New Zealand, including private patients and those with health insurance. The Centre also works closely with Te Whatu Ora to alleviate patient wait-times, reducing the demand on the public system.

GPs and medical specialists can refer patients to St George’s Cancer Care Centre using HealthPathways, Medtech PMS’ Specialists & Referrals system, by email or by phone. More information is available on the website